Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Lady Luck&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Lady Luck’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with very small white edges; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Lady Luck’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Lady Luck’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Lady Luck’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Rene Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Lady Luck’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2004 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Golden Sun’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Zuma Pixie’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Lady Luck’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2012 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2012 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Lady Luck’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are purple/violet with very small white edges;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Lady Luck’, the femaleparent ‘Golden Sun’ is red/purple, the male parent ‘Zuma Pixie’ ispurple with darker purple veins and with small white edges, whereas theflowers of ‘Lady Luck’ are purple/violet with very small white edges.Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Lady Luck’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Kissy Lips’. ‘Lady Luck’ is purple/violetwhereas ‘Kissy Lips’ is purple with a red/purple haze. ‘Kissy Lips’ isalso a little smaller than ‘Lady Luck’,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Lady Luck’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Lady Luck’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Lady Luck’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Lady Luck’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Lady Luck’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Lady Luck’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Lady Luck’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Lady Luck’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Lady Luck’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during theday and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Lady Luck’ are aminimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizerwith level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration ofgrowth of ‘Lady Luck’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Lady Luck’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Golden Sun’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Zuma Pixie’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-5            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 55 cm. Spread: about 45 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; green leaves (RHS 137B) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-10 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 17 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 7 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137B). Under side:            green (RHS 137C).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 139A). under side: green (RHS 137D).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1-3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 15-20.        -   Length.—About 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 20 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS 137A).        -   Buds.—        -   Height (from base to tip).—About 20 mm.        -   Diameter (at midpoint).—About 13 mm.        -   Shape.—Asymmetric oval.        -   Color.—Purple (RHS N79A and RHS N79B) with a yellow/green            haze (RHS 145C).        -   Orientation.—Same as flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—        -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days            after petal and sepal separation.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.        -   Shape.—Typical shape of Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2.        -   Size (of single bloom).—Height: about 45 mm. Diameter: about            50 mm.        -   Quantity and arrangement.—Three petals and three sepals that            are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals            are more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—        -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral            petals and a labellum.        -   2 lateral petals.—Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly            cupped. Apex: round. Margin: entire and weakly undulate.            Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 20 mm. Width: about            23 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper            side: purple/violet (RHS N81A) with very small white edges            (RHS NN155D). Under side: purple/violet (RHS N81B) with some            purple/violet veins (RHS N81A) and very small white edges            (RHS NN155D). Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2            prominent callosities at central junction of the lateral            lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum            fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends forward            and is terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex. Lateral            lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe            is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire            and weakly undulate. Apex of the midlobe and lateral lobes:            oval. Length midlobe: about 18 mm. Width midlobe (not            flattened): about 14 mm. Length lateral lobe: about 12 mm.            Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 5 mm. Depth of            tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 5 mm.            Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: red/purple (RHS            59A) with purple/violet (RHS N81A) and at the end some small            white edges (RHS NN155D). Under side: purple/violet (RHS            N81A) with purple/violet (RHS N81C) in the center. Lateral            lobe Under side: white (RHS NN155D) which runs into            purple/violet and red/purple (RHS 59A). Cirrhi: about 1 mm.            color: purple/violet (RHS N81A) with white (RHS NN155D).            Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 4 mm. Color: yellow/orange (RHS 14A and            RHS 14B) with red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 59A).        -   Sepals.—        -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one dorsal and            two lateral sepals.        -   Overall shape.—Elliptical and weakly cupped.        -   Margin.—Entire and weakly undulate.        -   Length.—About 27 mm.        -   Width.—About 23 mm.        -   Apex.—Oval.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: purple/violet            (RHS N81A) with very small white edges (RHS NN155D) and            violet veins (RHS 83A). Lateral: Ma            Under side, dorsal: purple/violet (RHS N81C) with            purple/violet veins (RHS N81A) and small white edges (RHS            NN155D). Lateral:purple/violet (RHS N81B and N81C) with            purple/violet veins (RHS N81A) and a white haze (RHS N155A)            and white edges (RHS NN155D).        -   Pedicel.—        -   Length.—About 3 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Red/purple (RHS 70A) with some yellow/green (RHS            145C) and a purple haze (RHS N77A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—        -   Length.—About 13 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Color.—Purple/violet (RHS N81A) with white at the end (RHS            NN155D).        -   Pollinia.—        -   Quantity.—Two.        -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow/orange (RHS 17A).        -   Ovary.—        -   Length.—About 3 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Color.—White (RHS N155B).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperture tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘LadyLuck’, as illustrated and described herein.